Srinagar, September 15: The Jammu and Kashmir administration has granted a No Objection Certificate (NOC) to international canoeing coach and umpire Bilquis Mir for her participation as a technical official in the upcoming Asian Games in Japan, following a stern directive from the Supreme Court. The apex court had previously criticized the Union Territory administration for withholding the NOC, emphasizing the critical nature of timely clearances for national sports assignments.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the Supreme Court, during a hearing last week, had set a deadline of September 15 for the Jammu and Kashmir government to issue all necessary orders for Ms. Mir, who has been engaged in legal battles with the administration for the past four years. The order, issued by the Youth Services and Sports Department, formally accords Ms. Mir the required NOC and permits her to join and discharge her duties as Chief Coach of the Indian National Kayaking and Canoeing Team for the duration of the Asian Games.
The official order stated that Ms. Mir is relieved from her duties as a physical education teacher for the period of the Games, scheduled to be held in Aichi-Nagoya. It further stipulated that she must report back to her parent department immediately upon completion of her assignment, and the period of her absence will be considered authorized in line with the Supreme Court’s judgment. The government had initially denied permission on June 19, citing an ongoing departmental inquiry concerning her appointment qualifications, previous international visits, and a lack of vigilance clearance.
This denial was reportedly in contempt of a previous High Court order that had directed the government to grant her permission to travel. Sources within the central Sports Ministry had confirmed Ms. Mir’s status as an international umpire, heading to the Games as an official. Ms. Mir had previously missed two international events due to the prolonged denial of permission.
Her legal challenges against the government commenced in 2023. The High Court, while hearing her contempt petition, had summoned officials in person. Subsequently, the department filed a petition in a Division Bench, which initially upheld the government’s decision to withhold travel permission. This prompted Ms. Mir and the Federation to approach the Supreme Court.
On September 10, the Supreme Court overturned the High Court’s order and quashed the June order of the Jammu and Kashmir administration that had denied her permission, citing pending departmental inquiries and service conditions. The apex court underscored the paramount importance of time management in competitive sports, stating that sports administration operates on fixed schedules for selection, training, qualifying events, and international competitions, which cannot be deferred to await ordinary administrative processes. The court noted that the High Court had erred by treating the matter as an ordinary service issue, neglecting its urgent and time-sensitive nature for a national sports assignment.
The Supreme Court pointed out that the High Court’s judgment was flawed in holding that a subsequent administrative order rendered the earlier delay inconsequential. An FIR filed against Ms. Mir by the Anti-Corruption Bureau of Jammu and Kashmir in 2023 was dismissed by the Jammu and Kashmir High Court in July 2025. The High Court had strongly criticized the authorities, observing that it appeared they were making every effort to harass talented individuals, describing the ACB’s actions as a clear attempt at vengeance and a witch-hunt by vested interests.
The Jammu and Kashmir government had appealed the quashing of the FIR to the Supreme Court. However, the top court, while condoning the delay in filing the appeal, ultimately dismissed the plea. In July 2025, according to documents submitted in court by the Jammu and Kashmir administration, an internal departmental inquiry was also initiated against Ms. Mir.
The Chenab Times News Desk